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URQUHART   LEE 


GIFT  OF 


PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 


After  a  careful  reading  of  the  copy,  Hon.  Thomas  B.  Reed 
submits  the  following  letter  of  indorsement,  for  publication  with 
this  volume: 


October  21,  1899. 
Messrs.  RAND,  MCNALLY  &  Co., 

Chicago,  Illinois. 

GENTLEMEN:  In  commencing  the  study  of  Parliamen- 
tary Law,  the  first  thing  to  do  is  to  familiarize  one's 
self  with  the  expressions  used  in  motions  and  proceed- 
ings. The  simplest  things  are  the  hardest  to  find,  for 
every  author  supposes  these  things  to  be  known.  Mrs. 
Lee's  book  meets  this  difficulty  in  a  very  satisfactory 
way,  and  I  commend  it  to  your  consideration. 

Yours  very  truly, 

T.  B.  REED. 


PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS 


BASED   ON 

u 


REED'S  RULES," 

A  HANDBOOK  OF  COMMON  PARLIAMENTARY  LAW. 


v    URQUHART   LEE. 


HAND,  McNALLY  &  CO.,  PUBLISHERS, 
CHICAGO  AND  NEW  YORK. 


Copyright,  1899,  by  Mary  Urquhart  Lee. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Introduction 5 

Lesson       I — 7 

II  —  Subsidiary  Motions  of  Second  Rank 15 

"        III  —  Delayed  Business 21 

IV  — Work  of  Committees 26 

V  — Committee  of  the  Whole 31 

VI  —  Reconsideration 37 

"       VII  —  Incidental  and  Privileged  Motions 44 

"     VIII  —  Complemental  Motions  or  Filling  Blanks  —  Methods  of 

Voting 48 

"        IX — Quorum  —  The  Casting  Vote  —  Debate  and  Decorum    .     .  53 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  arranging  the  following  set  of  lessons  for  general 
use,  the  purpose  has  been  to  demonstrate  the  use  of  par- 
liamentary points    thoroughly  established  by  practice  — 
not  to  show  the  consecutive  transactions  of  a  meeting  or 
meetings. 

All  debate  is  necessarily  assumed. 

Many  requests  have  come  for  a  system  of  demonstra- 
tions and  forms.  To  keep  these  forms  so  simple  and 
concise  as  to  be  grasped  by  the  novice,  and  so  logical 
as  to  violate  no  parliamentary  principle,'  has  been  my 
endeavor. 

My  thanks  and  acknowledgments  are  due  Hon.  Thomas 

B.  Reed  for  criticism  and  advice. 

M.  U.  L. 


PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 


LESSON    I. 

Parliamentary  law  embraces  a  system  of  rules  under 
which  the  fair  and  orderly  conduct  of  the  business  of 
deliberative  bodies  may  be  maintained.  The  established 
rules  of  procedure  have  been  evolved  by  the  experience 
and  necessity  of  deliberative  assemblies.  Legislative 
bodies  enact  special  rules  which  supplement  common 
parliamentary  law,  as  statutes  supplement  the  common 
law.  But  these  special  rules  of  legislative  bodies  form 
no  part  of  common  parliamentary  law. 

Business  may  be  introduced  by  motion  or  resolution 
and  by  communication. 

A  motion  or  resolution  is  the  statement  of  a  proposi- 
tion for  the  consideration  of  the  assembly.  It  is  made 
by  a  member  after  he  has  secured  the  floor,  seconded 
by  another  member,  and  stated  by  the  chair.  When 
stated  by  the  chair,  it  is  in  possession  of  the  assembly, 
and  may  not  be  withdrawn  without  consent  of  the 
assembly. 

Motions  are  of  two  kinds — principal  or  main  motions, 
and  subsidiary  motions. 

Principal  or  main  motions  are  of  two  classes  —  ordinary 
and  privileged. 

7 


8  PARLIAMENTARY  LE8SON8. 

Subsidiary  motions  relate  to,  or  are  dependent  upon, 
the  main  motions,  and  are  employed  to  modify,  delay,  or 
defeat  them. 

Privileged  main  motions  are  independent  of  any  busi- 
ness which  may  be  pending. 

Subsidiary  motions,  known  as  amendments,  are  em- 
ployed for  the  purpose  of  changing  the  form  of  a  motion 
before  allowing  it  to  go  to  vote,  and  must  be  voted  on 
before  the  motion  which  it  is  their  purpose  to  change. 

There  are  three  ways  of  amending  motions  —  by  addi- 
tion, by  elimination,  and  by  substitution.  (Note  Reed's 
Rules,  p.  93,  Sees.  129  to  161.) 

Two  amendments,  only,  relating  to  one  motion  may  be 
entertained  at  once  —  an  amendment  to  the  motion  (or  of 
the  first  degree),  and  an  amendment  to  the  amendment 
(or  of  the  second  degree). 

Two  ordinary  main  motions  may  not  be  entertained  at 
the  same  time.  A  motion  is  not  in  possession  of  the 
house  until  stated  by  the  chair. 

A  question  of  consideration  (or  objection  to  the  con- 
sideration of  the  question)  is  raised  by  a  member  who 
wishes  to  suppress  a  motion  without  allowing  it  to  be 
debated  or  voted  upon,  and  may  be  applied  to  the  main 
motion  only. 

In  conducting  a  drill  with  an  imaginary  assembly,  it 
must  be  assumed  that  the  executive  powers  of  the  body 
are  such  as  enable  it  to  transact  the  business  proposed, 
and  that  the  resolutions  entertained  are  not  conliicting 
with  or  modifying  the  constitution  or  by-laws,  or  interfer- 
ing with  powers  which  have  been  delegated  to  a  board  of 
trustees.  When  the  time  for  opening  the  meeting  has 
arrived,  the  presiding  officer  takes  the  chair,  calling  atten- 
tion with  the  gavel,  and  states :  "The  meeting  will  please 


PARLIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS.  9 

be  in  order."  Assuming  the  minutes  of  the  previous 
meeting  to  have  been  read,  the  chair  states:  "If  there 
are  no  objections  or  corrections  the  minutes  will  stand 
approved."  Hearing  none,  he  will  state:  "The  minutes 
are  approved."  If  wishing  to  offer  a  correction,  a  mem- 
ber should  get  recognition  and  move  that  the  secretary 
be  instructed  to  make  a  correction,  stating  clearly  what 
it  is  to  be.  This  is  seconded,  and  stated  by  the  chair, 
and  should  be  discussed  as  any  motion  if  there  is  a  dif- 
ference of  opinion,  and  finally  must  be  settled  by  vote  of 
the  assembly. 

Expunging  minutes  is  a  method  not  recognized  by  com- 
mon parliamentary  law.  It  has  been  infrequently  done 
by  legislative  assemblies,  but  is  not  recognized  as  a 
reputable  parliamentary  method.  To  erase  a  portion  of 
the  records  of  the  transactions  of  an  assembly  is  as  much 
a  falsification  of  the  records  as  to  insert  something  which 
never  occurred. 

Examples  of  Motions. 

MEMBER.    Mr.  President,  Mr.  Jones. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Jones. 

MR.  JONES.     I  move  "to  change  our  place  of  meeting." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  change  our 
place  of  meeting."  Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Smith. 

PRESIDENT.    Mrs.  Smith. 

MRS.  SMITH.  I  raise  a  question  of  consideration.  (Or, 
I  object  to  the  consideration  of  this  question.) 

PRESIDENT.  A  question  of  consideration  is  raised. 
Shall  the  main  question  be  considered?  All  who  are  in 
favor  of  considering  the  question  of  changing  our  place 


10  PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 

of  meeting  will  please  say  aye ;  all  who  are  opposed  will 
please  say  no.  (Or,  if  the  society  has  a  rule  requiring  a 
two-thirds  vote  on  this  question,  the  affirmative  side  will 
stand  until  counted,  then  the  negative.  If  two-thirds 
stand  on  the  negative  side,  the  motion  is  lost.)  The  noes 
seem  to  have  it.  The  noes  have  it,  and  the  motion  to 
change  our  place  of  meeting  will  not  be  considered. 
What  is  your  further  pleasure?  (Or,  we  will  proceed 
with  the  next  order  of  business.) 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Mr.  Hart. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Hart. 

MR.  HART.    I  move  "to  adopt  a  badge." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  adopt  a 
badge."  Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 

MEMBER.    Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Smith. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Smith. 

MRS.  SMITH.     I  raise  a  question  of  consideration. 

PRESIDENT.  A  question  of  consideration  is  raised. 
Shall  the  main  question  be  considered?  All  who  are  in 
favor  of  considering  the  question  of  adopting  a  badge 
will  please  say  aye ;  all  who  are  opposed  will  please 
say  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it, 
and  the  question  is  open  to  consideration  "to  adopt  a 
badge."  Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Nash. 

PRESIDENT.    Mrs.  Nash. 

MRS.  NASH.  I  move  to  amend  the  motion  by  adding 
the  words  "of  red,  white,  and  blue." 

MEMBER.    Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  amend  the 
motion  by  adding  the  words  "of  red,  white,  and  blue." 
Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 


PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS,  11 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Mr.  Johnson. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Johnson  has  the  floor. 

MR.  JOHNSON.  I  move  to  amend  the  amendment  by 
eliminating  the  word  "red." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  amend  the 
amendment  by  eliminating  the  word  "red."  Are  you 
ready  for  the  question  ?  All  who  are  in  favor  will  please 
say  aye;  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it. 
The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  question  recurs  to  the  amended 
amendment,  the  proposition  to  add  to  the  main  motion 
the  words  "of  white  and  blue."  All  who  are  in  favor  of 
the  motion  will  please  say  aye;  opposed,  no.  The 
ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  question 
recurs  to  the  main  motion  as  amended,  ' '  to  adopt  a  badge 
of  white  and  blue."  Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 
All  who  are  in  favor  will  please  say  aye ;  all  opposed, 
no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it. 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Butler. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Butler. 

MRS.  BUTLER.  I  move  "to  hold  a  bazaar,  donating 
the  proceeds  to  the  Children's  Hospital." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  hold  a 
bazaar,  donating  the  proceeds  to  the  Children's  Hos- 
pital." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Mr.  Walker. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Walker. 

MR.  WALKER.  I  move,  as  a  substitute  motion,  "to 
appropriate  from  the  treasury  one  thousand  dollars,  to 
be  divided  equally  between  the  Children's  Hospital  and 
the  Old  People's  Home." 

MEMBER.    Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 


12  PARLIAMENTAR  Y  LESSONS. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded,  as  a  substi- 
tute motion,  i  c  to  appropriate  from  the  treasury  one  thou- 
sand dollars,  to  be  divided  equally  between  the  Children' s 
Hospital  and  the  Old  People's  Home."  Are  you  ready 
for  the  question?  All  who  are  in  favor  will  please  say 
aye;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The 
ayes  have  it,  and  the  substitute  is  before  you  as  a  main 
motion.  What  will  you  do  with  it? 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Smith. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Smith. 

MRS.  SMITH.  Mr.  President,  I  move  to  amend  the 
motion  by  substituting  the  words  " eight  hundred"  for 
the  words  "one  thousand." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  amend  the 
motion  by  substituting  the  words  "eight  hundred"  for 
the  words  "one  thousand."  Are  you  ready  for  the 
question?  [After  discussion.]  All  in  favor  will  please 
say  aye;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it. 
The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  question  recurs  to  the  main 
motion  as  amended,  "to  appropriate  from  the  treasury 
eight  hundred  dollars,  to  be  divided  equally  between 
the  Children's  Hospital  and  the  Old  People's  Home." 
Are  you  ready  for  the  question?  All  who  are  in  favor 
will  please  say  aye;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to 
have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  What  is  your  further 
pleasure  ?  

Q.     What  is  a  motion  or  resolution? 

A.  A  proposition  for  the  consideration  of  the  assembly.  It 
is  made  by  a  member  who  has  secured  the  floor,  seconded  by 
another  member,  and  stated  by  the  chair.  When  stated  by  the 
chair,  it  is  in  possession  of  the  assembly,  and  may  be  withdrawn 
only  by  consent  of  the  assembly. 


PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS.  13 

Q.     How  are  motions  divided  ? 

A.     Into  principal  or  main  motions,  and  subsidiary  motions. 

Q.     How  are  main  motions  divided  ? 

A.     Into  ordinary  and  privileged. 

Q.     What  is  an  ordinary  main  motion  ? 

A.     A  motion  which  introduces  a  matter  of  business. 

Q.     What  is  a  privileged  main  motion  ? 

A.  A  motion  which  may  interrupt  other  business.  A  motion 
to  adjourn  is  a  privileged  motion. 

Q.     Is  it  always  privileged  ? 

A.  It  may  always  be  entertained,  except  when  a  member 
has  the  floor,  in  the  midst  of  a  roll-call  vote,  or  during  the 
verification  of  a  vote. 

Q.     What  is  a  subsidiary  motion  ? 

A.  One  which  is  dependent  on  another  motion,  and  is  used 
to  delay,  modify,  or  defeat  it. 

Q.     How  many  subsidiary  motions  in  this  lesson  ? 

A.     Two  —  amendment  and  question  of  consideration. 

Q.  How  many  amendments  to  one  motion  may  be  entertained 
at  once  ? 

A.  Two  —  an  amendment  to  the  motion  (or  of  the  first 
degree),  and  an  amendment  to  the  amendment  (or  of  the  second 
degree). 

Q.  When  these  are  disposed  of,  may  other  amendments  be 
applied  to  the  same  motion  ? 

A.     Yes,  but  always  under  the  same  regulations. 

Q.     How  is  a  substitute  motion  treated  ? 

A.  The  first  vote  is  on  substituting  it  for  the  main  motion. 
If  this  is  carried,  it  takes  the  place  of  the  main  motion,  and  is 
subject  to  the  same  treatment  to  which  the  motion  would  htivu 
been  which  it  has  replaced.  Substituting  one  motion  for  another 
does  not  carry  it.  It  simply  places  it  before  the  assembly  as  a 
main  motion,  in  place  of  the  main  motion  which  it  has  super- 
seded. 

Q.     How  does  a  substitute  motion  rank  ? 

A.  As  an  amendment  of  the  first  degree,  and  may  not  be 
entertained  when  an  amendment  is  already  pending. 


14  PARLIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

Q.     What  motions  in  Lesson  I  are  debatable  ? 

A.     Main  motions  and  amendments. 

Q.  On  what  question  in  the  above  lesson  do  societies  usually 
require,  by  a  special  rule,  a  two-thirds  vote  ? 

A.     The  question  of  consideration. 

Q.     What  question  in  this  lesson  is  undebatable  ? 

A.  A  question  of  consideration,  and  it  must  be  raised  and 
acted  upon  before  there  is  any  consideration  of  the  main  ques- 
tion, and  may  be  applied  to  the  main  motion  only. 

Q.  Under  common  parliamentary  law,  what  are  the  limita- 
tions of  debate  ? 

A.  A  member  may  speak  but  once  to  each  debatable  ques- 
tion, except  by  consent  of  the  assembly.  Having  spoken  to  the 
main  question,  he  may  speak  to  each  amendment  and  to  every 
debatable  motion  as  it  is  offered. 


SUBSIDIARY  MOTIONS  OF  SECOND  RANK  15 


LESSON    II. 


Subsidiary  Motions  of  Second  Rank. 

1.  Indefinite  postponement. 

2.  To  commit. 

3.  To  postpone  to  a  definite  or  stated  time  (making 
a  general  or  special  order). 

4.  The  previous  question. 

To  indefinitely  postpone  a  measure  is  equivalent  to  a 
negative  vote  on  the  main  motion,  as  a  measure  which 
is  indefinitely  postponed  may  not  come  up  again  at  the 
same  session,  except  on  motion  to  reconsider,  and  may 
never  again  come  up,  except  a§  new  business.  It  is 
fully  debatable,  and  through  it  the  merits  of  the  main 
motion  may  be  fully  discussed. 

To  commit.  Questions  may  be  referred  to  special  or 
standing  committees  (see  Lesson  IV). 

A  motion  to  postpone  to  a  certain  or  definite  time  is 
equivalent  to  making  a  general  order.  To  postpone  to 
a  certain  hour  of  any  day  makes  the  matter  a  special 
order.  When  that  hour  arrives  any  pending  business 
may  be  interrupted  to  take  it  up,  but  it  may  be  post- 
poned still  further  by  vote  of  the  assembly. 

When  a  member  wishes  to  close  debate  and  prevent 
the  offering  of  dependent  motions  he  moves  the  "  previous 
question." 

This  measure  not  only  closes  debate  but  prevents  the 
offering  of  subsidiary  motions  and  forces  the  main  ques- 
tion to  immediate  vote. 

8 


16  PARLIAMENT AR  T  LESSONS. 

Examples. 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Mrs.  Smith. 

PRESIDENT.    Mrs.  Smith. 

MRS.  SMITH.     I  move  uto  refurnish  the  lecture  room." 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  refurnish 
the  lecture  room." 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Mr.  Ross. 

PRESIDENT.    Mr.  Ross. 

MR.  Ross.  I  move  "that  this  question  be  indefinitely 
postponed." 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  that  the  mat- 
ter be  indefinitely  postponed.  Are  you  ready  for  the 
question  ? 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Mrs.  Smith. 

PRESIDENT.    Mrs.  Smith. 

MRS.  SMITH.  I  move  "to  refer  the  matter  to  a  com- 
mittee of  three,  appointed  by  the  chair." 

PRESIDENT.  The  chair  is  obliged  to  rule  the  motion 
out  of  order,  as  a  motion  of  equal  rank  is  pending. 
The  question  is  on  the  motion  for  indefinite  postpone- 
ment. (Note  Reed's  Rules,  p.  145,  Sec.  201.) 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Mr.  Johnson. 

PRESIDENT.    Mr.  Johnson. 

MR.  JOHNSON.     I  rise  to  a  parliamentary  inquiry. 

PRESIDENT.     State  your  question. 

MR.  JOHNSON.  Is  a  motion  now  in  order  to  make 
this  matter  a  special  order  for  our  next  meeting? 

PRESIDENT.  The  motion  is  not  in  order,  as  it  is  of 
equal  rank  with  the  motion  for  indefinite  postponement 
which  is  now  pending. 


SUBSIDIARY  MOTIONS  OF  SECOND  RANK.  17 

ME.  JOHNSON.  Then  I  wish  to  give  notice,  Madam 
President,  that  if  the  motion  for  indefinite  postpone- 
ment is  lost  I  shall  offer  a  motion  to  make  this  matter 
a  special  order  for  our  next  meeting  at  three  o'clock. 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Miss  King. 

PRESIDENT.     Miss  King. 

Miss  KING.     I  move  "the  previous  question. " 

PRESIDENT.  The  chair  is  obliged  to  rule  the  motion 
out  of  order,  as  a  motion  of  equal  rank  is  pending. 
The  question  is  on  the  motion  for  indefinite  postpone- 
ment. All  in  favor  will  please  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no. 
The  noes  seem  to  have  it.  The  noes  have  it,  and  the 
question  recurs  to  the  main  motion,  "to  refurnish  the 
lecture  room." 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Miss  King. 

PRESIDENT.    Miss  King. 

Miss  KING.     I  move  "the  previous  question." 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mr.  Johnson. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Johnson. 

MR.  JOHNSON.  I  move  "that  the  matter  be  made  a 
special  order  for  our  next  meeting  at  three  o'clock." 

PRESIDENT.    Does  either  motion  receive  a  second? 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Miss  Lewis. 

PRESIDENT.    Miss  Lewis. 

Miss  LEWIS.  I  second  the  motion  for  "the  previous 
question." 

PRESIDENT.  The  previous  question  is  moved.  Shall 
the  main  question  now  be  put  ?  (In  other  words,  Do  you 
wish  to  close  debate  on  the  main  question  and  force  it 
to  immediate  vote?)  All  who  are  in  favor  will  please 
say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it. 
The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  question  is  on  the  motion  "to 
refurnish  the  lecture  room."  (Or,  if  a  two-thirds  vote  is 


18  PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 

required  the  chair  would  say:  UA11  in  favor  will  please 
rise  and  remain  standing  until  counted.  That  will  do. 
All  opposed  will  rise  and  remain  standing  until  counted. 
That  will  do.  The  ayes  have  it.") 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Miss  Jenkins. 

PRESIDENT.     Miss  Jenkins. 

Miss  JENKINS.  I  move  "to  refer  this  matter  to  the 
House  Committee." 

PRESIDENT.  The  chair  is  obliged  to  rule  the  motion 
out  of  order,  as  we  are  operating  under  the  order  of  the 
previous  question.  [A  member  rises  and  attempts  to 
debate  the  question.] 

PRESIDENT.  We  are  operating  under  the  order  of 
the  previous  question  and  the  chair  is  obliged  to  rule  all 
debate  out  of  order. 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mr.  Haskell. 

PRESIDENT.    Mr.  Haskell. 

MR.  HASKELL.     I  move  "to  adjourn." 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  adjourn." 
All  who  are  in  favor  will  please  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no. 
The  noes  seem  to  have  it.  The  noes  have  it,  and  the 
question  recurs  to  the  motion  "to  refurnish  the  lecture 
room."  All  who  are  in  favor  will  please  say  aye; 
opposed,  no.  The  noes  seem  to  have  it.  The  noes  have  it. 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Miss  Giles. 

PRESIDENT.    Miss  Giles. 

Miss  GILES.     I  move  "to  adjourn." 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  adjourn." 
All  who  are  in  favor  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The 
ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  The  meeting 
stands  adjourned. 


SUBSIDIARY  MOTIONS  OF  SECOND  RANK.  19 

Q.     How  many  subsidiary  motions  of  the  second  rank  ? 

A.  Four — indefinite  postponement;  to  commit;  to  post- 
pone to  a  definite  or  stated  time  (making  a  general  or  special 
order);  the  previous  question. 

Q.     Does  any  one  of  these  motions  outrank  the  other  three  ? 

A.  When  any  one  of  the  four  motions  is  pending,  none  of 
the  others  may  be  entertained. 

Q.     What  is  the  effect  of  indefinite  postponement  ? 

A.     If  carried,  it  kills  the  main  motion. 

Q.     How  may  a  matter  be  committed  ? 

A.  It  may  be  referred  to  a  special  committee,  a  standing 
committee,  or  the  assembly  may  go  into  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  under  special  rule,  to  consider  a  matter. 

Q.     What  is  a  general  order  ? 

A.     A  matter  postponed  to  or  arranged  for  a  certain  meeting. 

Q.     What  is  a  special  order  ? 

A.  A  matter  postponed  to  or  fixed  for  a  certain  hour  of 
some  day. 

Q.  What  is  the  purpose  of  a  motion  for  the  previous 
question  ? 

A.  It  is  a  measure  to  close  debate,  shut  out  dependent 
motions,  and  force  the  main  question  to  a  vote,  and  must  be 
voted  on  previous  to  voting  on  the  main  question. 

Q.  May  it  be  moved  when  amendments  to  the  main  motion 
are  pending  ? 

A.     It  may. 

Q.  If  ordered,  does  it  close  debate  on  the  entire  matter  — 
the'  motion  and  its  amendments  ? 

A.  It  does,  and  forces  them  all  to  a  vote  unless  there  is  a 
special  rule  to  the  contrary. 

Q.  What  motions  may  be  entertained  after  the  order  of  the 
previous  question  is  made  ? 

A.  Motions  arising  from  questions  of  privilege,  and  privi- 
leged motions ;  also  a  motion  to  divide  a  proposition,  and  a 
motion  to  fix  the  method  of  voting. 

Q.     What  motions  in  this  lesson  are  debatable  ? 

A.     Indefinite   postponement,    and   to   commit,  and   through 


20  PARLIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

both  of  these  motions  the  merits  of  the  main  motion  may  be 
discussed.  The  motion  to  postpone  to  a  stated  time  is  debat- 
able, but  the  debate  is  confined  to  the  expediency  of  postponing 
debate,  and  may  not  touch  the  main  motion. 

Q.     What  motion  in  this  lesson  is  not  debatable  ? 

A.     The  motion  for  the  previous  question. 

Q.  Is  the  motion  to  table  of  higher  rank  than  the  motions 
in  this  lesson  ? 

A.  Yes,  and  it  may  be  entertained  when  any  of  the  above 
motions  are  pending. 


DEL  A  TED  B  U8INES8.  21 


LESSON    III. 


•  Delayed   Business. 

Questions  which  have  been  referred  to  a  committee, 
or  postponed  to  a  stated  time,  come  up  again  for 
consideration. 

A  tabled  matter  may  also  be  brought  before  the 
assembly  if  a  majority  vote  can  be  secured  to  bring  it 
from  the  table.  A  motion  to  take  from  the  table  is  in 
order  at  any  time  after  tabling,  providing  business  has 
intervened  and  no  business  is  pending.  A  motion  comes 
from  the  table  with  its  amendments.  If  an  amendment 
is  tabled  it  carries  the  main  motion  with  it. 

Questions  postponed  to  a  stated  time  should  be  taken 
up  at  that  time  without  motion.  If  a  member  objects  to 
taking  up  a  special  order  (in  other  words,  an  order 
appointed  for  a  special  hour)  in  the  midst  of  other 
business,  he  will  move  to  postpone  it  still  further,  and 
this  matter  the  assembly  decides  by  vote. 

NOTE.  For  treatment  of  business  which  has  been  placed  in  the  hands 
of  a  committee,  see  Lesson  IV. 

Examples. 

MEMBEE.    Mr.  President,  Mr.  Johnson. 
PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Johnson. 

MR.  JOHNSON.  I  move  "to  limit  the  membership  of 
the  club." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 
PRESIDENT.     It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  limit  the 


22  PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 

membership    of    the    club."      Are    you    ready   for   the 
question  ? 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  Miss  King. 

PRESIDENT.     Miss  King. 

Miss  KING.  I  move  "to  amend  the  motion  by  add- 
ing the  words  'to  seventy-five.' ' 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.     It  is  moved   and    seconded    "to   amend 
the   motion   by   adding   the   words    'to    seventy-five.'  ' 
Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  Mr.  Griflin. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Griffin. 

ME.  GRIFFIN.   I  move  "to  lay  the  matter  on  the  table." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  that  this  mat- 
ter be  laid  on  the  table.  All  in  favor  will  say  aye ; 
all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes 
have  it,  and  the  matter  goes  to  the  table. 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Smith. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Smith. 

MRS.  SMITH.  I  move  "to  order  a  city  directory  for 
the  reading  room." 

MEMBEE.    Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PEESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  order  a 
city  directory  for  the  reading  room." 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  Miss  Jones. 

PRESIDENT.     Miss  Jones. 

Miss  JONES.    I  rise  to  a  question  of  privilege. 

PRESIDENT.     State  your  question. 

Miss  JONES.  I  wish  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  time  has  arrived  at  which  we  were  to  take  up  the 
question  of  uniting  with  the  State  Federation. 

PRESIDENT.     The  chair  had   overlooked   the   matter; 


DEL  A  TED  B  U8INE88.  23 

the  question  was  made  a  special  order  for  this  hour  and 
is  before  you. 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Miss  King. 

PRESIDENT.     Miss  King. 

Miss  KINO.  Mr.  President,  I  move  "that  this  matter 
be  still  further  postponed  till  the  question  before  us  is 
disposed  of." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "that  the 
special  order  be  still  further  postponed  until  the  question 
before  us  is  disposed  of."  All  in  favor  will  say  aye  ;  all 
opposed,  no.  The  noes  seem  to  have  it.  The  noes  have 
it,  and  the  special  order  is  before  you.  The  question  is 
on  the  motion  "to  unite  with  the  State  Federation." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  Miss  King. 

PRESIDENT.     Miss  King. 

Miss  KING.  I  move  "to  refer  this  matter  to  a  com- 
mittee of  three,  appointed  by  the  chair." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  refer  this 
matter  to  a  committee  of  three,  appointed  by  the  chair." 
All  in  favor  please  say  aye ;  all  opposed  say  no.  The 
ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  The  chair  will 
name  the  committee  later.  The  question  recurs  to  the 
motion  which  was  interrupted  by  the  special  order,  "to 
order  a  city  directory  for  the  reading  room."  Are  you 
ready  for  the  question  ?  All  in  favor  will  say  aye ;  all 
opposed  will  say  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The 
ayes  have  it. 

MEMBER.    Mr.  President,  Mr.  Johnson. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Johnson. 

MR.  JOHNSON.  I  move  "to  take  from  the  table  the 
matter  concerning  limiting  the  membership  of  the  club." 


24  PARLIAMENTAE  T  LESSONS. 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PEESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  take  from 
the  table  the  matter  concerning  limiting  the  membership 
of  the  club."  All  in  favor  will  say  aye;  all  opposed, 
no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  The 
question  comes  from  the  table  bringing  its  amendment 
with  it,  and  the  question  recurs  to  the  motion  to  amend 
the  original  motion  by  adding  the  words  "to  seventy- 
five."  Are  you  ready  for  the  question?  All  in  favor 
of  the  motion  will  please  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The 
ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  ques- 
tion recurs  to  the  amended  motion,  "to  limit  the  mem- 
bership of  the  club  to  seventy-five." 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  Mr.  Griffin. 

PEESIDENT.    Mr.  Griffin. 

ME.  GEIFFIN.  I  move  "that  the  matter  be  indefinitely 
postponed." 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PEESLDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  indefinitely 
postpone  the  matter."  All  in  favor  will  please  say  aye. 
[The  ayes  respond  and  a  member  interrupts  the  vote, 
demands  the  floor,  is  recognized,  and  speaks  to  the 
question.  Much  discussion  follows.  The  question  is 
called  and  the  chair  again  puts  the  affirmative  side  the 
same  as  if  it  had  not  been  taken  when  the  debate 
began.]  The  question  is  on  the  motion  "to  indefinitely 
postpone  the  matter  concerning  limiting  the  member- 
ship of  the  club."  All  in  favor  say  aye;  all  opposed, 
no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  Is 
there  any  further  business  to  come  before  the  meeting? 

Q.  By  what  measures  is  business  delayed  and  again  brought 
before  the  assembly  ? 


DEL  A  TED  B  USINESS.  25 

A.  By  referring  to  committees,  or  postponing  to  a  stated 
time.  Business  may  also  be  taken  from  the  table  by  majority 
vote. 

Q.  May  an  assembly  delay  the  report  of  a  committee  after 
the  committee  is  ready  to  report  ? 

A.  Yes.  It  is  always  in  the  power  of  an  assembly  to  shut 
out  a  committee's  report. 

Q.  Must  a  question  which  has  been  made  a  special  order  be 
taken  up  when  the  time  arrives? 

A.  If  the  attention  of  the  assembly  is  called  to  it,  the 
assembly  must  either  deal  with  the  question  or  still  further 
postpone  it  by  vote. 

Q.  When  is  a  motion  in  order  to  take  a  matter  from  the 
table,  and  by  whom  ? 

A.  At  any  time  after  business  has  intervened  between  tabling 
the  matter  and  moving  to  take  it  from  the  table,  if  no  business 
is  pending;  any  member  may  make  the  motion. 

Q.     May  an  amendment  be  tabled  ? 

A.  This  form  is  sometimes  improperly  used,  but  if  the 
amendment  is  tabled  it  carries  the  main  motion  with  it. 

Q.  If  a  motion  is  tabled  with  amendments,  does  it  bring 
its  amendments  with  it  when  taken  from  the  table  ? 

A.  Yes,  and  they  are  voted  on  in  the  same  order  as  if  they 
had  not  been  tabled. 

Q.     Is  a  motion  to  take  from  the  table  debatable  ? 

A.     No. 

Q.  May  a  vote  be  interrupted  after  the  affirmative  side  is 
taken  ? 

A.  Yes.  Members  may  obtain  the  floor  and  continue  debate 
or  offer  motions  of  a  higher  rank.  But  when  put  to  vote  the 
affirmative  side  must  again  be  taken,  as  though  voting  had  not 
begun. 


26  PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 


LESSON    IV. 


Work  of  Committees. 

In  appointing  a  special  committee,  if  it  is  for  investi- 
gation, members  representing  both  sides  of  the  question 
should  be  chosen.  If  for  action,  the  matter  should  be 
placed  in  the  hands  of  friends  of  the  measure.  If  in- 
structed to  report  at  a  certain  time,  the  committee  should 
be  ready  to  report  at  that  time.  The  assembly  is  always 
competent  to  order  a  report. 

When  a  report  is  read  or  received  it  is  in  order  to 
move  "to  approve"  or  uto  accept  the  report."  If  a 
recommendation  is  embodied  in  the  report,  a  member 
wishing  to  commit  the  society  to  the  plan  of  action 
reported  should  move  "to  adopt"  the  resolution  reported. 

For  selection  of  committees,  see  Reed's  Rules,  p.  56, 
Sec.  64.  No  presiding  officer  has  the  inherent  right 
to  belong  to  all  committees,  nor  the  inherent  right  to 
appoint  all  committees,  or  the  chairman  of  all  or  any 
committees.  When  he  has  the  right  it  is  conferred  on 
him  by  special  rule. 

All  action  of  a  committee  must  be  taken  at  a  regular 
meeting.  The  consent  of  all  individually,  without  a  meet- 
ing, will  not  render  valid  any  action.  It  must  be  first 
conference  and  then  consent. 

For  committee  organization,  quorum,  duties  of  officers, 
method  of  procedure,  place  and  time  of  sitting,  see  Reed's 
Rules,  Sees.  59  to  63. 

When  a  committee  has  finished  its  work  and  reports, 


WORK  OF  COMMITTEES.  27 

it  is  discharged  thereby  without  motion.  In  the  nature  of 
things  it  ceases  to  exist.  This  means  a  special  committee 
or  one  appointed  for  a  special  purpose.  If  it  reports 
progress,  or  work  partly  accomplished,  it  does  not  cease 
to  exist,  nor  is  it  necessary  to  continue  it  by  motion. 

A  committee  may  be  revived  by  a  motion  to  re-commit. 

The  majority  of  a  committee  may  decide  on  a  report 
and  present  it  as  the  committee's  report.  Members  of 
the  minority  may  prepare  a  report  and  present  it  with 
permission  of  the  assetnbly.  This  should  not  be  refused. 
But  a  motion  to  adopt  it  is  not  in  order  unless  the 
committee's  report  has  been  killed.  The  views  of  the 
minority  may  be  moved  as  an  amendment  to  the  com- 
mittee's report.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  Sees.  81,  82,  83.) 

Examples. 

The  Chair  inquires,  "Are  there  any  reports  of  special 
committees?" 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mrs.  Thompson. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Thompson. 

MRS.  THOMPSON.  Your  committee,  to  which  was  re- 
ferred the  question,  "to  hold  a  bazaar,"  begs  leave  to 
submit  the  following  report: 

"  Resolved,  To  hold  a  bazaar  at  the  Exposition  Building." 
Respectfully  submitted, 

HELEN  THOMPSON,  Chairman. 
By  order  of  Committee. 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mrs.  Slocum. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Slocum. 

MRS.  SLOCUM.  I  rise  to  present  the  views  of  the 
minority. 

PRESIDENT.  If  there  are  no  objections  we  will  receive 
the  report. 


28  PARLIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

MRS.  JOHNSON.  Madam  President,  I  object  to  the 
reading  of  this  report. 

PRESIDENT.  Then  the  Chair  may  not  order  the  read- 
ing. It  may  be  done  only  by  vote  of  the  assembly. 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Miss  Curtis. 

PRESIDENT.    Miss  Curtis. 

Miss  CURTIS.  I  move  to  permit  the  member  to  pre- 
sent the  views  of  the  minority. 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  allow  the 
member  to  present  the  views  of  the  minority.  All  in 
favor  of  the  motion  will  please  say  aye  ;  all  opposed,  no. 
The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  We  will 
listen  to  the  report. 

MRS.  SLOCUM.  Madam  President.  The  undersigned, 
a  minority  of  your  committee  to  which  was  referred  the 
question,  uto  hold  a  bazaar,"  being  unable  to  concur  in 
the  committee's  report,  begs  leave  to  recommend  the 
following : 

"Resolved,  To  give  a  fancy  dress  ball  at  the  Exposition 
Building." 

Eespectfully  submitted, 

MARTHA  SLOCUM. 
JANE  WITHKOW. 

PRESIDENT.  The  question  is  on  the  resolution  re- 
ported by  the  committee,  which  is  as  follows :  '  'JResolved, 
To  hold  a  bazaar  at  the  Exposition  Building." 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mrs.  Slocum. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Slocum. 

MRS.  SLOCUM.  I  offer  as  an  amendment  to  this  reso- 
lution to  substitute  the  words  "fancy  dress  ball"  for  the 
word  "  bazaar." 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 


WORK  OF  COMMITTEES.  29 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  amend  the 
committee's  report  by  substituting  the  words  "  fancy 
dress  ball"  for  the  word  "bazaar."  All  in  favor  will 
please  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have 
it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  question  recurs  to  the 
amended  resolution,  "To  hold  a  fancy  dress  ball  at  the 
Exposition  Building." 

MEMBER,    Madam  President,  Miss  Johnson. 

PRESIDENT.     Miss  Johnson. 

Miss  JOHNSON.  I  move  to  make  this  matter  a  special 
order  for  our  next  meeting  at  three  o'clock. 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  make  this 
matter  a  special  order  for  our  next  meeting,  at  three 
o'clock.  Are  you  ready  for  the  question?  All  in  favor 
will  please  say  aye ;  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to 
have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  (Or,  if  the  society  requires 
a  two-thirds  vote  to  make  a  special  order,  a  standing 
vote  would  be  taken  and  the  members  counted.) 

A  two-thirds  vote  may  be  demanded  only  by  special 
rule,  as  otherwise  a  majority  rules  in  all  cases.  Most 
societies  provide  by  a  special  rule  for  a  two-thirds  vote 
on  the  following: 

First  —  Question  of  consideration,  two-thirds  negative 
vote.  (The  remainder  of  the  list  two-thirds  affirmative 
vote.) 

Second  —  Previous  question. 

Third  —  Extending,  limiting,  or  closing  debate. 

Fourth  —  Making  a  special  order. 

Fifth  —  Taking  up  a  question  out  of  its  regular  order. 

Sixth  —  Suspending  rules. 

For  amending  rules,  see  Reed's  Rules,  p.  50,  Sec.  52. 


30  PAELIAMENTAR  Y  LESSONS. 

Q.     What  is  a  special  committee? 

A.     A  committee  appointed  for  a  special  purpose. 

Q.     How  may  it  be  appointed? 

A.  By  the  Chair,  if  the  assembly  orders  it,  or  by  the  assem- 
bly, either  by  resolution,  embracing  the  names  to  form  the  com- 
mittee, or  by  nomination  and  vote. 

Q.     May  the  President  name  the  Chairman  of  a  committee? 

A.  She  may  name  the  one  to  call  the  committee  together, 
but  the  committee  may  elect  its  own  Chairman  unless  the 
assembly  has  done  so  or  empowered  the  President  to  name  the 
permanent  Chairman. 

Q.     Whom  should  the  committee  represent? 

A.  If  for  investigation,  both  sides  of  the  question.  If  for 
action,  or  to  execute  something  which  the  assembly  has  decided 
upon,  the  friends  only  of  the  measure. 

Q.  What  may  be  done  if  a  committee  declines  or  neglects 
to  report? 

A.  The  assembly  may  order  a  report  or  discharge  the  com- 
mittee and  appoint  a  new  one. 

Q.     Who  prepares  the  committee's  report? 

A.     The  entire  committee,  or  a  majority  of  it. 

Q.     Who  presents  it? 

A.  The  Chairman  or  some  member  selected  by  those  who 
prepare  the  report. 

Q.  May  a  minority  report  be  presented  by  members  who 
are  unable  to  concur  in  the  committee's  report? 

A.  Yes,  such  a  report  may  be  presented  by  permission  of 
the  assembly. 

Q.  If  one  favors  the  minority  report,  what  is  the  first  step 
to  take? 

A.  To  move  it  as  an  amendment  to  the  committee's  report. 
If  this  is  carried,  the  next  step  is  to  move  the  adoption  of  the 
committee's  report  as  amended.  If  the  motion  to  amend  is  lost, 
then  a  motion  to  adopt  the  committee's  report  is  in  order. 

Q.  When  the  assembly  elects  the  committee,  may  each 
member  nominate  more  than  one  ? 

A.  It  is  consistent  to  nominate  as  many  as  one  may  vote  for.  If 
three  are  to  be  elected,  a  member  may  nominate  three  or  two  or  one. 


COMMITTEE  OF  THE  WHOLE.  31 


LESSOR   V. 


Committee    of  the   Whole. 

Going  into  Committee  of  the  Whole,  strictly  speak- 
ing, is  a  legislative  measure,  and  does  not  properly 
belong  to  the  ordinary  deliberative  assembly  except 
under  special  rule,  but  its  use  in  deliberative  assemblies 
is  becoming  somewhat  general.  Except  that  it  is  made 
up  of  the  entire  assembly,  rendering  a  minority  report 
useless  and  out  of  order,  the  powers  of  a  Committee  of 
the  Whole  rank  equally  with  those  of  a  committee 
of  three  or  five.  One  may  speak  as  many  times  as  he 
obtains  recognition  unless  a  limit  is  placed  on  length 
and  number  of  speeches  by  the  assembly  before  going 
into  the  Committee  of  the  Whole.  The  Committee  of  the 
Whole  may  recommend  any  measure  which  the  assembly 
is  competent  to  execute.  It  may  recommend  amend- 
ments or  any  subsidiary  motions,  and  may  actually 
amend  any  recommendation  arising  in  the  committee. 
When  wishing  to  report  and  resume  business  as  an 
assembly,  a  member  moves  to  rise  and  report,  or  rise 
and  recommend  certain  things.  This  report  is  made  by 
the  chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  the  pre- 
siding officer  having  resumed  the  chair.  A  motion  to 
rise  in  committee  is  equivalent  to  a  motion  to  adjourn 
an  assembly.  Proceedings  of  the  committee  are  kept 
by  the  secretary  for  the  benefit  of  the  committee,  but 
nothing  but  the  report  should  find  a  place  in  the 
minutes.  It  is  usual  for  the  presiding  officer  to  select 

8 


32  PAELIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

the  chairman  of  Committee  of  the  Whole.  But  the 
assembly,  not  the  committee,  has  the  right  always  to 
control  the  occupancy  of  the  chair.  (See  Reed's  Rules, 
Sees.  86  to  99.) 

Nothing  is  gained  by  going  into  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  and  usually  much  time  is  lost,  unless  it  is 
desired  to  secure  free  and  unlimited  debate  on  some 
question  which  is  in  danger  of  being  suppressed  in  the 
assembly  without  having  been  fairly  presented. 

When  wishing  to  go  into  Committee  of  the  Whole,  a 
member  rises  and  makes  a  motion  to  that  effect.  If 
carried,  the  presiding  officer  leaves  the  chair,  assigns  it 
to  a  member  chosen  by  himself,  or  by  the  assembly,  as 
chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole. 

Examples. 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Clark. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Clark. 

MRS.  CLARK.  I  move  "to  take  a  position  on  the  uni- 
versal suffrage  question." 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  take  a 
position  on  the  universal  suffrage  question."  Are  you 
ready  for  the  question? 

MEMBER.    Mr.  President,  Mr.  Leonard. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Leonard. 

MR.  LEONARD.  I  move  uto  lay  this  question  on  the 
table." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  uto  lay  the 
matter  on  the  table."  Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 
All  in  favor  will  please  say  aye;  opposed,  no.  The  noes 
seem  to  have  it.  The  noes  have  it,  and  the  question 


COMMITTEE  OF  THE  WHOLE.  33 

recurs  to  the  original  motion,  "to  take  a  position  on 
the  universal  suffrage  question."  Are  you  ready  for 
the  question? 

MEMBEE.    Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Clark. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Clark. 

MES.  CLAEK.  I  move  "to  go  into  Committee  of  the 
Whole  to  discuss  this  question." 

MEMBEE.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PEESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  go  into 
Committee  of  the  Whole  to  consider  this  question." 
Are  you  ready  for  the  question?  All  in  favor  will 
please  say  aye ;  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it. 
The  ayes  have  it. 

Mrs.  Lane,  will  you  act  as  chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  the  Whole? 

Mrs.  Lane  takes  the  chair. 

MRS.  LANE.  The  meeting  will  please  be  in  order. 
The  question  before  you  is,  "to  take  a  position  on  the 
universal  suffrage  question."  The  matter  is  open  to  dis- 
cussion. [A  number  of  members  obtain  the  floor  in  turn 
for  discussion,  always  addressing  the  chair  as  Madam 
Chairman,  not  Madam  President.  Mrs.  Walcott  arises 
and  addresses  the  chair.] 

MES.  WALCOTT.     Madam  Chairman,  Mrs.  Walcott. 

CHAIEMAN.    Mrs.  Walcott. 

MES.  WALCOTT.  I  move  "that  the  matter  be  laid  on 
the  table." 

MEMBEE.     Madam  Chairman,  I  second  the  motion. 

CIIAIEMAN.  The  chair  is  obliged  to  rule  the  motion 
out  of  order,  as  no  restrictive  motions  may  be  employed 
in  Committee  of  the  Whole. 

MEMBEE.     Madam  Chairman,  Mr.  Steele. 

CHAIRMAN.     Mr.  Steele. 


34  PARLIAMEN  TAR  T  LESSONS. 

MR.  STEELE.  I  move  "to  rise  and  recommend  to  the 
assembly  that  the  matter  be  laid  on  the  table." 

MEMBER.     Madam  Chairman,  I  second  the  motion. 

CHAIRMAN.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "that  the 
committee  rise  and  recommend  to  the  assembly  that  the 
pending  question  be  laid  on  the  table."  All  who  are  in 
favor  will  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The  noes  seem  to 
have  it.  The  noes  have  it.  What  is  your  further 
pleasure  ? 

MEMBER.     Madam  Chairman,  Mrs.  Newton. 

CHAIRMAN.     Mrs.  Newton. 

MRS.  NEWTON.  I  move  "that  the  committee  rise  and 
recommend  to  the  assembly  that  the  pending  motion  be 
amended  by  substituting  the  word  'against'  for  the 
word  'on'  before  the  words  'the  question  of  universal 
suffrage.'" 

MEMBER.     Madam  Chairman,  I  second  the  motion. 

CHAIRMAN.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "that  the 
committee  rise  and  recommend  to  the  assembly  that  the 
pending  motion  be  amended  by  substituting  the  word 
'against'  for  the  word  'on'  before  the  words  'the 
question  of  universal  suffrage.' '  All  who  are  in  favor 
of  the  motion  will  please  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The 
noes  seem  to  have  it.  The  noes  have  it.  The  matter  is 
still  before  you. 

MEMBER.     Madam  Chairman,  Mrs.  Eddy. 

CHAIRMAN.    Mrs.  Eddy. 

MRS.  EDDY.  I  move  "that  the  committee  rise  and 
recommend  to  the  assembly  that  the  further  considera- 
tion of  this  question  be  postponed  until  our  next  meet- 
ing." 

MEMBER.    Madam  Chairman,  I  second  the  motion. 

CHAIRMAN.    It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  rise  and 


COMMITTEE  OF  THE  WHOLE.  35 

recommend  to  the  assembly  that  the  further  considera- 
tion of  this  question  be  postponed  until  our  next 
meeting."  All  in  favor  will  say  aye;  opposed,  no.  The 
ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it. 

The  President  resumes  the  chair.  The  Chairman  of 
Committee  of  the  Whole  takes  the  floor  and  reports. 

CHAIRMAN.     Mr.  President,  Mrs.  Lane. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Lane. 

MRS.  LANE.  The  Committee  of  the  Whole,  after  'giv- 
ing some  time  to  the  consideration  of  the  question, 
decided  to  recommend  to  the  assembly  "that  further 
consideration  be  postponed  until  our  next  meeting." 

MEMBER.    Mr.  President,  Mr.  Ogden. 

PRESIDENT.    Mr.  Ogden. 

MR.  OGDEN.    I  move  "the  adoption  of  this  report." 

MEMBER.     Mr.  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  adopt  this 
report.  All  in  favor  will  please  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no. 
The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  The  ques- 
tion goes  over  until  our  next  meeting. 


Q.  What  is  the  object  of  going  into  Committee  of  the 
Whole  ? 

A.  To  secure  free  and  unlimited  debate  to  the  entire 
assembly. 

Q.  Is  action  taken  by  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  binding 
upon  the  assembly  ? 

A.  No  more  so  than  the  action  of  any  committee.  But  it 
is  consistent  to  suppose  that  what  the  committee  recommends, 
the  assembly,  as  it  is  made  up  of  the  same  individuals,  will 
adopt. 

Q.     Who  appoints  the  Chairman  ? 

A.     The  President,  unless  special  rule  orders  otherwise.    But 


36  PARLTAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

the  assembly  may  control  the  occupancy  of  the  chair  under  spe- 
cial rule. 

Q.  When  wishing  to  terminate  the  committee,  what  is  the 
proper  form  of  motion  ? 

A.     To  rise,  which  is  equivalent  to  adjourn  in  an  assembly. 

Q.     Who  makes  the  report  ? 

A.     The  Chairman,  the  President  having  resumed  the  chair. 

Q.  Should  the  deliberations  of  the  committee  be  embodied 
in  the  minutes  of  the  society  ? 

A.     No,  nothing  but  the  report  as  given  by  the  Chairman. 


RECONSIDERATION.  37 


LESSON    VI. 


Reconsideration. 

Generally  speaking,  action  once  taken  is  final.  To  this 
there  was  formerly  no  exception,  and  is  not  now  in  the 
British  Parliament.  In  this  country  a  reconsideration  of 
the  vote  on  a  question  may  be  had.  In  other  words, 
the  vote  which  decided  the  question  may,  by  vote  to 
reconsider,  be  annulled.  The  question  is  then  before  the 
assembly  as  though  never  having  been  voted  on,  and 
any  measure  may  be  applied  to  it  which  might  have 
been  applied  when  it  was  first  brought  before  the 
assembly,  except  "a  question  of  consideration"  (or 
objection  to  the  consideration  of  the  question).  A 
motion  to  reconsider  must  be  made  at  the  meeting 
during  which  the  vote  sought  to  be  reconsidered  was 
taken,  and  before  any  action  in  consequence  of  it  has 
been  taken  by  the  assembly.  It  may  be  entered  on  the 
minutes  while  a  member  has  the  floor  and  can  be  acted 
on  another  day.  It  can  not  be  withdrawn  except  on  the 
day  it  is  made  without  consent  of  the  assembly.  If 
withdrawn  on  the  day  on  which  it  was  made,  anyone 
may  renew  it.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  Sec.  205.) 

A  motion  to  reconsider  does  not  hold  over  from  the 
close  of  one  session  to  another  —  for  example,  from  one 
club  meeting  to  another  —  with  an  interval  of  a  week  or 
a  fortnight,  but  does  hold  over  from  one  day  to  another 
of  the  same  session.  A  question  may  be  reconsidered  but 
once,  unless  a  substantial  change  was  made  by  way  of 


38  PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 

amendment  while  it  was  being  reconsidered.  A  vote  on 
reconsideration  may  not  be  reconsidered.  Whenever  the 
main  question  has  been  decided  in  the  affirmative,  the 
motion  to  reconsider  an  amendment  previously  adopted 
will  not  be  in  order.  The  vote  by  which  the  main 
question  as  amended  was  passed  must  first  be  recon- 
sidered (or  annulled),  and  if  this  prevails,  then  the 
motion  to  reconsider  the  amendment  is  in  order.  If  this 
prevails,  it  would  then  be  in  order  to  reconsider  the 
vote  on  the  motion  to  amend  the  amendment.  The 
motion  to  reconsider  may  be  made  only  by  one  who 
voted  with  the  prevailing  side.  The  motion  to  recon- 
sider is  debatable,  and  through  it  the  motion  sought  to 
be  reconsidered.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  pages  147  to  155.) 

Examples. 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mrs.  Jones. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Jones. 

MRS.  JONES.  I  move  uto  entertain  the  State  Feder- 
ation of  Clubs." 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  uto  entertain 
the  State  Federation  of  Clubs."  Are  you  ready  for  the 
question?  [After  discussion.]  All  in  favor  will  say  aye; 
opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it. 
[Some  dissatisfaction  arises  after  the  question  is  settled, 
and  a  reconsideration  is  moved.  This  may  be  after  other 
business  has  intervened  or  not.  It  is  not  necessary  that 
business  intervene  before  a  reconsideration  is  moved.  If 
it  were  necessary,  an  amendment  could  not  be  recon- 
sidered before  the  whole  question  was  closed.  It  is  in 
order  to  move  a  reconsideration  of  the  vote  on  an  amend- 
ment before  the  main  question  comes  to  vote.] 


RECONSIDERATION.  39 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Mr.  Scott. 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Scott. 

MR.  SCOTT.  I  move  "a  reconsideration  of  the  vote 
on  the  question  to  entertain  the  State  Federation  of 
Clubs." 

PRESIDENT.  Did  the  member  vote  with  the  prevail- 
ing side? 

MR.  SCOTT.     I  did,  Madam  President. 

PRESIDENT.     Does  the  motion  receive  a  second? 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  reconsider 
the  vote  on  the  question  "to  entertain  the  State  Feder- 
ation of  Clubs."  Are  you  ready  for  the  question?  All 
in  favor  of  the  question  will  say  aye;  opposed,  no. 
The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the 
question  recurs  to  the  motion  "to  entertain  the  State 
Federation  of  Clubs."  Are  you  ready  for  the  question? 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mrs.  Kelly. 

PRESIDENT.    Mrs.  Kelly. 

MRS.  KELLY.  I  move  "to  postpone  the  consideration 
of  this  question  to  our  next  meeting." 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  postpone 
the  consideration  of  this  matter  to  our  next  meeting." 
All  in  favor  will  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes 
seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  The  subject  goes 
over  to  our  next  meeting. 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Miss  Kelly. 

PRESIDENT.    Miss  Kelly. 

Miss  KELLY.     I  move  "to  build  a  club  house." 

MEMBER.     I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  build  a 
club  house." 


40  PARLIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

MEMBEE.    Madam  President,  Mrs.  Jones. 

PRESIDENT.    Mrs.  Jones. 

MES.  JONES.  I  move  "  to  amend  the  motion  by  adding 
the  words  'of  gray  stone.'' 

MEMBEE.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  amend 
the  motion  by  adding  the  words  'of  gray  stone.' ' 

MEMBEE.     Madam  President,  Mrs.  Smith. 

PEESIDENT.    Mrs.  Smith. 

MES.  SMITH.  I  move  "to  amend  the  amendment  by 
adding  the  words  'with  marble  trimmings.'' 

MEMBEE.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PEESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  amend 
the  amendment  by  adding  the  words  'with  marble  trim- 
mings.' '  Are  you  ready  for  the  question?  All  in  favor 
will  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to 
have  it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  question  recurs  to 
the  amended  amendment,  the  proposition  to  add  to  the 
main  motion  the  words  "of  gray  stone,  with  marble 
trimmings."  All  in  favor  will  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no. 
The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the 
question  recurs  to  the  main  motion  as  amended,  "to 
build  a  club  house  of  gray  stone,  with  marble  trim- 
mings." All  in  favor  will  say  aye  ;  all  opposed,  no.  The 
ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it.  [Discussion  is 
assumed  on  all  the  above  points.  After  the  matter 
is  settled,  dissatisfaction  arises  regarding  the  trimmings, 
the  point  covered  by  the  amendment  to  the  amendment. 
But  as  this  was  the  first  vote  taken  to  reach  it  by 
reconsideration,  the  two  votes  which  followed  must  first 
be  reconsidered  or  annulled  in  their  order,  beginning 
with  the  last  first.] 

MEMBEE.    Madam  President,  Mr,  Walker, 


RECONSIDERATION.  41 

PRESIDENT.     Mr.  Walker. 

MR.  WALKER.  I  move  "to  reconsider  the  vote  on  the 
amended  motion  'to  build  a  club-house  of  gray  stone, 
with  marble  trimmings.'  ' 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  reconsider 
the  vote  on  the  amended  motion  'to  build  a  club  house 
of  gray  stone,  with  marble  trimmings.' '  All  in  favor  will 
say  aye;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it. 
The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  question  recurs  to  the 
amended  motion  "to  build  a  club  house  of  gray  stone, 
with  marble  trimmings." 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mr.  Walker. 

PRESIDENT.    Mr.  Walker. 

MR.  WALKER.  I  move  "to  reconsider  the  vote  on  the 
amended  amendment,  the  added  words  'of  gray  stone, 
with  marble  trimmings.'  ' 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  reconsider 
the  vote  on  the  amended  amendment,  the  added  words 
'of  gray  stone,  with  marble  trimmings.' '  All  in  favor 
will  say  aye;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have 
it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  question  recurs  to  the 
amended  amendment,  the  proposition  to  add  the  words 
uof  gray  stone,  with  marble  trimmings." 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  Miss  Knight. 

PRESIDENT.    Miss  Knight. 

Miss  KNIGHT.  I  move  "to  reconsider  the  vote  on  the 
motion  to  amend  the  amendment  by  adding  the  words 
'with  marble  trimmings.'  : 

MEMBER.    Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  "to  reconsider 
the  vote  on  the  motion  to  amend  the  amendment  by 


42  PARLIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

adding  the  words  'with  marble  trimmings.'  "  All  in 
favor  will  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to 
have  it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the  main  motion  with 
its  two  amendments  are  before  you  as  though  never 
having  been  voted  on.  The  question  is  on  the  motion 
"to  amend  the  amendment  by  adding  the  words  'with 
marble  trimmings.'  '  All  in  favor  will  say  aye ;  all 
opposed,  no.  The  noes  seem  to  have  it.  The  noes  have 
it,  and  the  question  recurs  to  the  motion  to  amend  the 
original  motion  by  adding  the  words  "of  gray  stone." 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  Mrs.  Walcott. 

PRESIDENT.     Mrs.  Walcott. 

MRS.  WALCOTT.  I  move  "to  amend  the  amendment 
by  adding  the  words  'with  granite  trimmings.'" 

MEMBER.     Madam  President,  I  second  the  motion. 

PRESIDENT.  It  is  moved  and  seconded  to  amend 
the  amendment  by  adding  the  words  'with  granite  trim- 
mings.' '  All  in  favor  will  say  aye ;  all  opposed,  no. 
The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes  have  it,  and  the 
question  recurs  to  the  amended  amendment,  the  proposi- 
tion to  add  to  the  main  motion  the  words  "of  gray 
stone,  with  granite  trimmings."  All  in  favor  will  say 
aye ;  all  opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The 
ayes  have  it,  and  the  question  recurs  to  the  main  motion 
as  amended,  "to  build  a  club  house  of  gray  stone,  with 
granite  trimmings."  All  in  favor  will  say  aye;  all 
opposed,  no.  The  ayes  seem  to  have  it.  The  ayes 
have  it.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  p.  150,  Sec.  204.) 


Q.     What  is  the  effect  of  a  motion  to  reconsider  a  vote  ? 
A.    If    carried,    it    annuls    the  vote,    leaving    the    question 
before  the  assembly  as  if  it  had  never  been  voted  on. 

Q.     What  measures  may  be  then  applied  to  the  main  motion  ? 


RECONSIDERATION.  43 

A.  Everything  which  might  have  been  entertained  when  it 
was  first  stated,  except  a  question  of  consideration  (or  objec- 
tion to  the  consideration  of  the  question).  After  a  motion  to 
reconsider  a  vote  is  carried,  it  takes  at  least  one  more  vote 
to  dispose  of  the  question. 

Q.  If  dissatisfied  with  an  amendment  to  the  amendment, 
after  the  whole  question  is  closed,  how  many  reconsiderations 
must  be  moved  to  reach  it  ? 

A.  Three.  The  three  votes  which  were  taken  to  carry  the 
three  propositions  must  each  be  annulled  separately,  beginning 
with  the  last  one  taken  —  the  vote  on  the  amended  main  motion. 
After  voting  three  times  to  carry  the  motion  and  its  amend- 
ments, and  taking  three  votes  to  annul  these  votes,  the  three 
propositions  (the  motion  and  two  amendments)  are  before  the 
assembly  as  if  no  vote  had  been  taken. 

Q.     Who  may  move  a  reconsideration  ? 

A.  One  who  voted  with  the  prevailing  side,  whether  the 
motion  was  carried  or  lost. 

Q.  Is  it  necessary  for  business  to  have  intervened  between 
the  vote  and  its  reconsideration  ? 

A.  No.  One  may  stop  at  any  time  and  move  a  reconsidera- 
tion on  an  amendment  before  the  main  motion  goes  to  vote,  and 
on  the  main  question  after  a  vote. 

Q.     When  may  the  reconsideration  of  a  vote  be  moved  ? 

A.  On  the  day  on  which  the  vote  on  the  question  sought 
to  be  reconsidered  was  taken.  It  may  also  be  entered  on  the 
minutes  at  this  time  and  not  taken  up  until  the  following  day, 
but  not  at  the  following  session. 

Q.     Is  a  motion  to  reconsider  debatable  ? 

A.  Yes.  And  while  it  is  pending  the  motion  sought  to  be 
reconsidered  may  be  debated  if  it  was  a  debatable  motion. 


44  PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 


LESSON    VII. 


Incidental  and  Privileged  Motions. 

INCIDENTAL   SUBSIDIARY  MOTIONS. 

Incidental  subsidiary  motions  are  those  which  arise 
from  other  questions.  They  are: 

First  —  To  suspend  a  rule.  Under  general  parliamen- 
tary law  there  may  be  no  suspension  of  rules,  unless  the 
rules  themselves  provide  for  the  suspension,  except  by 
unanimous  consent.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  Sees.  53  and  192.) 

Second  —  To  withdraw  a  motion.  After  a  motion  is 
stated  by  the  Chair  and  in  possession  of  the  assembly, 
the  mover  may  ask  permission  to  withdraw  it.  But  if 
there  are  objections,  it  may  be  withdrawn  only  by  vote 
of  the  assembly  on  motion  to  withdraw  it. 

Third  —  To  divide  a  resolution  or  motion.  This  is 
also  classed  as  an  amendment  of  the  first  degree.  If 
there  is  objection  to  the  division  of  a  motion,  it  may  be 
done  only  by  vote  of  the  assembly.  When  a  motion  is 
divided,  it  must  be  in  such  a  manner  that  each  proposi- 
tion is  a  substantive  proposition,  and  entirely  independent 
of  the  others.  This  motion  is  in  order  even  after  the 
order  of  the  previous  question  has  been  made.  (See 
Reed's  Rules,  Sees.  151  to  153,  also  Sec.  193.) 

Fourth  —  The  reading  of  papers.  If  a  member  wishes 
to  introduce  a  matter  of  business  by  communication,  she 
may  read  it  only  by  consent  of  the  assembly.  When 
once  introduced,  it  would  be  the  matter  under  consider- 
ation. So,  also,  if  a  member  wishes  to  read  a  letter  or 


• 


INCIDENTAL  S  UBSIDIAR  T  MO  TION8.  45 

other  paper,  incidental  to  a  question  already  under 
consideration,  she  should  ask  permission  of  the  assembly 
to  do  so. 

Fifth  —  Questions  of  order. 

(a)  Raising  the  question. 

(b)  Raising  the  appeal. 

Raising  a  point  of  order  requires  no  second.  A 
member  rises  and,  without  waiting  for  recognition,  says: 
"Madam  President,  I  rise  to  a  point  of  order." 

The  Chairman  says:    "State  your  point." 

The  point  is  then  stated  by  the  member,  and  the 
Chairman  says:  "The  Chair  considers  the  point  well 
taken"  (or  "not  well  taken"). 

Then  the  member  who  raised  the  point,  or  another 
member,  if  dissatisfied  with  the  decision,  may  appeal. 
He  says:  "I  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  Chair." 
This  is  seconded,  and  the  Chairman  says:  "The  decision 
of  the  Chair  is  appealed  from.  Shall  the  decision  of  the 
Chair  stand  as  the  judgment  of  the  assembly?" 

It  is  well  to  use  the  word  decision,  as,  otherwise,  there 
is  a  tone  of  appeal  for  personal  support  in  the  state- 
ment. It  is  the  decision  of  the  Chair,  and  not  the  Chair 
which  is  in  question. 

The  point  of  order  is  debatable  or  not,  according  to 
the  pleasure  of  the  Chair. 

When  an  appeal  is  made,  the  Chair  should  state  the 
appeal  and  give  the  grounds  of  her  decision.  The  appeal 
is  then  open  for  discussion,  unless  conditions  make  it 
undebatable. 

An  appeal  may  be  tabled.  This  has  the  effect  of 
sustaining  the  decision  of  the  Chair. 

Sixth  —  Motions  as  to  method  of  consideration.  (Note 
Reed's  Rules,  Sec.  194.) 


46  PARLIA MENTAR  Y  LESSONS. 

PEIVILEGED   MAIN   MOTIONS. 

First  —  To  take  a  recess.  (Only  privileged  when  the 
session  consists  of  more  than  one  meeting  and  a  recess 
is  arranged  for,  otherwise  it  ranks  as  any  ordinary  main 
motion.) 

Second  —  To  adjourn. 

Third  —  To  fix  the  time  or  place  to  which  to  adjourn 
(when  necessary). 

These  motions  may  all  pend  at  once,  if  in  the  above 
order,  the  motion  to  adjourn  being  highest  in  rank, 
unless  necessary  to  fix  another  meeting.  It  may  always 
be  entertained,  unless  a  member  has  the  floor,  during  the 
verification  of  a  vote,  in  the  midst  of  a  roll-call  vote,  or 
while  an  assembly  is  dividing.  It  may  not  be  repeated 
until  business  has  intervened. 

Questions  of  privilege  may  arise  at  any  time,  and  may 
be  ruled  on  according  to  their  nature.  If  imperative 
that  they  be  acted  on  at  once,  other  business  may  be 
interrupted  for  the  purpose.  If  not,  they  have  no 
privilege  and  should  be  ruled  out  of  order. 

Much  confusion  arises  on  this  point  from  members 
rising  to  questions  of  privilege  and  attempting  to  intro- 
duce matters  which  have  no  privilege  whatever. 


Q.     What  are  incidental  motions  ? 

A.     Those  which  arise  from  other  questions. 

Q.  Should  a  member  read  a  paper  or  communication,  inciden- 
tal to  a  question  or  otherwise,  without  permission  of  the  assembly  ? 

A.     No. 

Q.     May  rules  be  suspended  without  a  by-law  permitting  it  ? 

A.     No,  except  by  unanimous  vote. 

Q.  After  a  motion  is  stated  by  the  Chair,  may  the  mover 
withdraw  it  ? 


INCIDENTAL  AND  PRIVILEGED  MOTIONS.  47 

A.     Only  with  consent  of  the  assembly. 

Q.     What  kind  of  a  motion  may  be  divided  ? 

A.  One  which  consists  of  more  than  one  independent  prop- 
osition, and  the  mover  must  state  where  it  is  to  be  divided. 

Q.     Is  a  point  of  order  debatable  ? 

A.  If  the  Chair  wishes  debate  or  explanations  before  mak- 
ing a  ruling,  it  is  within  the  power  of  the  Chair  to  open  it  to 
debate.  It  is  not  debatable  otherwise. 

Q.     Is  the  appeal  debatable? 

A.     Usually. 

Q.     May  an  appeal  be  tabled  ? 

A.  Yes.  This  has  the  effect  of  sustaining  the  decision  of 
the  Chair. 

Q.     What  is  a  privileged  motion  ? 

A.     One  which  is  privileged  to  interrupt  other  business. 

Q.     Is  a  motion  to  adjourn  always  privileged  ? 

A.  It  is  always  in  order,  except  when  a  member  has  the 
floor,  in  the  midst  of  a  roll-call  vote,  during  the  verification  of 
a  vote,  or  while  an  assembly  is  dividing. 

Q.     May  it  be  renewed  till  other  business  has  intervened  ? 

A.     No. 

Q.     What  is  a  question  of   privilege  ? 

A.     One  on  which  it  is  imperative  to  act  at  once. 


48  PARLIAMENTAR  Y  LESSONS. 


LESSON   VIII. 


Complemental    Motions    or   Filling    Blanks  - 
Methods    of  Voting. 

FILLING  BLANKS,    OK   COMPLEMENTAL  MOTIONS. 

They  are  employed  for  the  purpose  of  completing 
skeleton  resolutions  or  motions. 

If  a  resolution  is  oifered  with  blank  for  date,  amount, 
or  names,  the  assembly  may  suggest  dates,  amounts,  or 
names  in  the  same  manner  in  which  nominations  are 
made.  They  require  no  second;  each  member  of  the 
assembly  has  the  right  to  make  a  suggestion,  nomination, 
or  complemental  motion,  as  one  chooses  to  term  it. 
Where  the  blanks  are  to  be  filled  with  names,  if  more 
are  placed  in  nomination  than  the  number  required,  the 
vote  should  be  by  ballot,  that  all  may  stand  an  equal 
chance.  It  is  manifestly  unfair  to  vote  first  on  the  first 
named.  If  a  member  who  does  not  wish  to  serve  is  nomi- 
nated for  a  committee  or  other  position,  she  should  not 
attempt  to  withdraw  the  name,  but  ask  the  member  who 
presented  it  to  withdraw  it. 

Where  the  blanks  are  to  be  filled  with  amounts,  the 
voting  should  be  on  largest  amount  first.  (Note  Reed's 
Rules,  p.  Ill,  Sec.  154.) 

Nominations  may  be  closed  on  motion  or  by  tacit  con- 
sent. This  should  not  be  done  until  every  member  has 
had  an  opportunity  of  nominating.  In  electing  members 
of  a  committee  or  a  delegation,  no  one  is  elected  except 


METHODS  OF  VOTING.  49 

those  receiving  a  majority  of  the  vote  cast,  unless  a  pro- 
vision is  made  by  special  rule  or  resolution  for  their 
election  by  plurality  vote. 

METHODS   OF  VOTING. 

"By  silent  consent"  is  a  method  of  voting  which  is 
largely  employed  in  matters  of  routine.  The  Chair  states : 
"If  there  are  no  objections"  a  certain  thing  will  be 
done.  Hearing  no  objections,  she  announces  the  result 
as  if  a  vote  had  been  taken,  the  members  being  consid- 
ered to  have  voted  or  assented  to  the  proposition. 

The  usual  method  of  voting  is  by  voice.  Where  there 
is  a  question  of  the  vote  by  voice,  and  it  is  desired  to  vote 
so  that  the  members  may  be  counted  by  a  more  speedy 
method  than  roll  call,  a  division  is  taken.  This  may  be 
done  in  any  one  of  three  ways  :  First,  rising  and  standing 
to  be  counted ;  second,  separating  to  opposite  sides  of  the 
room ;  third,  passing  between  tellers.  With  the  latter 
method  the  tellers  are  named  by  the  Chair,  and  take  their 
position  in  front  of  the  table  or  desk  of  the  presiding 
officer.  All  who  are  in  favor  of  the  motion  are  directed 
to  pass  between  the  tellers  from  the  speaker's  desk  toward 
the  assembly,  and  are  counted.  Then  those  who  are 
opposed  pass  between  the  tellers  in  the  same  manner  and 
are  counted,  and  the  result  is  announced  by  the  Chair. 

The  roll-call  or  yea-and-nay  vote  is  the  calling  of 
the  members'  names  by  the  secretary,  each  member 
responding  yes  or  no,  or  declining  to  vote,  as  his 
name  is  called.  (The  roll-call  vote  should  not  be  con- 
founded with  the  roll  call  for  quorum,  or  the  roll  call 
of  a  Credential  Committee's  report  to  perfect  an  organi- 
zation.) The  ballot  vote  is  the  means  of  casting  a 
secret  vote.  Secrecy  is  an  essential  feature  of  voting  by 


50  PAELIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

ballot,  and  may  not  be  dispensed  with.  Where  the 
charter  of  a  corporation,  or  the  constitution  or  by-laws 
of  an  ordinary  society,  provides  for  a  ballot  vote,  the  vote 
should  be  ~by  ballot;  it  should  be  a  secret  vote  cast  by 
each  member,  otherwise  the  principle  of  secrecy,  and, 
therefore,  the  fundamental  law  of  the  organization,  is 
violated.  It  is,  therefore,  wholly  out  of  order,  under  the 
above  conditions,  for  a  secretary  to  cast  the  ballot 
of  a  society  on  motion  authorizing  him  to  do  so.  And 
such  a  motion  should  be  promptly  ruled  out  of  order  by 
the  Chair,  on  the  grounds  that  the  society  having  a  by- 
law providing  for  a  ballot  vote,  meaning  a  secret  vote 
cast  by  each  member,  the  vote  must  be  by  ballot. 
The  secretary  may  never  cast  a  ballot,  except  by 
unanimous  consent,  and  it  may  only  be  ascertained  that 
it  is  not  unanimous  by  forcing  some  member  to  object, 
thus  destroying  his  right  of  secrecy.  Even  though  there 
is  but  one  candidate  for  an  office,  the  Chair  should  rule 
a  motion  "to  instruct  the  secretary  to  cast  a  ballot,"  or 
"to  make  it  unanimous,"  out  of  order,  taking  the 
responsibility  himself,  and  not  forcing  a  member  to  show 
his  hand.  If  he  does  not,  a  member  may  rise  to  a  point 
of  order,  and  object  on  the  grounds  that,  having  a 
by-law  providing  for  a  ballot  vote,  the  vote  must  be  by 
ballot.  Members  are  not  compelled  to  vote  for  those  in 
nomination ;  ballots  may  be  cast  for  those  whose  names 
are  not  mentioned.  The  tellers  have  no  right  to  throw 
out  ballots,  and  should  read  a  complete  list  of  the  entire 
ballot,  whether  for  those  in  nomination  or  not.  Blank 
ballots  are  not  to  be  considered  in  any  way. 

When  a  ballot  shows  that  a  vote  is  not  unanimous, 
there  is  no  honest  method  of  making  it  appear  so  by 
moving  "to  make  the  vote  unanimous." 


COMPLEMENT AL  MOTIONS— METHODS  OF  VOTING.       51 

Moving  to  elect  by  acclamation  is  moving  to  fix  a 
method  of  voting,  and  that  method  a  shout.  Such  a 
proceeding  is  not  known  to  parliamentary  law. 


Q.     What  is  a  complemental  motion  ? 

A.  One  which  is  employed  to  fill  a  blank.  A  nomination 
is  a  complemental  motion. 

Q.     Does  it  require  a  second  ? 

A.     No,  it  is  merely  a  suggestion. 

Q.  If  the  blanks  are  to  be  filled  with  names,  and  there  are 
more  nominations  than  the  number  required,  how  should  the 
vote  be  taken  ? 

A.     By  ballot,  so  that  all  may  be  voted  for  simultaneously. 

Q.  If  a  member  who  does  not  wish  to  serve  is  nominated, 
what  is  the  proper  method  of  procedure  ? 

A.     She  should  ask  the  one  presenting  her  name  to  withdraw  it. 

Q.  When  the  blanks  are  to  be  filled  with  amounts,  where 
should  the  voting  begin  ? 

A.     At  the  largest  number. 

Q.     How  may  nominations  be  closed  ? 

A.     On  motion,  or  by  silent  consent. 

Q.  What  constitutes  an  election  of  officers,  of  delegates,  or 
committee  members  ? 

A.  A  majority  of  the  votes  cast,  unless  a  provision  has  been 
made  by  by-law  or  resolution  for  a  plurality  vote,  or  the  election  of 
the  member  or  members  receiving  the  highest  number  of  votes. 

Q.     What  is  meant  by  a  division  ? 

A.  A  method  of  voting  that  admits  of  the  members  being 
counted. 

Q.     How  many  methods  of  taking  a  division  ? 

A.  Three  —  rising  and  standing  until  counted;  separating 
to  opposite  sides  of  the  room ;  passing  between  tellers. 

Q.     What  is  the  yea-and-nay  or  roll-call  vote  ? 

A.  A  vote  where  the  names  of  the  members  are  called  by 
the  secretary,  each  member  responding  "yes"  or  "no,"  or 
declining  to  vote. 


52  PARLIAMENTAR  T  LESSONS. 

Q.     What  is  a  ballot  vote  ? 

A.  The  means  of  casting  a  secret  vote,  each  member  writ- 
ing the  name  of  her  choice  on  a  slip  of  paper. 

Q.  Is  it  proper,  when  there  is  but  one  candidate,  to  enter- 
tain a  motion  "to  instruct  the  secretary  to  cast  the  ballot/'  or 
any  motion  the  operation  of  which  would  abridge  this  right  of 
secrecy  ? 

A.  No.  A  member  should  not  be  compelled  to  make  a 
public  remonstrance.  If  a  by-law  has  been  enacted  providing 
for  a  ballot  vote,  take  time  to  transact  the  business  properly 
and  do  not  violate  a  by-law. 

Q.     Are  members  compelled  to  vote  for  those  in  nomination  ? 

A.  No.  One  whose  name  has  not  been  mentioned  may  be 
balloted  for  and,  if  he  secured  a  majority,  would  be  elected. 

Q.  Should  the  tellers  throw  out  scattering  ballots  for  those 
who  have  not  been  nominated  ? 

A.  No  ballots  should  ever  be  thrown  out  by  the  tellers. 
All  should  be  read  in  the  announcement  of  the  vote. 

Q.  After  a  ballot  has  been  counted,  and  it  is  shown  that 
the  result  is  not  unanimous,  is  there  any  way  of  making  it  so  ? 

A.  No.  One  member  may  not  transfer  her  votes,  which 
were  cast  by  other  members,  to  another  candidate. 


QUORUM.  53 


LESSOR    IX. 


Quorum  — The  Casting  Vote  — Debate  and 
Decorum. 

QUOKUM. 

The  number  necessary  for  transacting  business  is 
called  a  quorum.  This  does  not  mean  any  percentage 
of  the  number  present,  but  the  number  which  must  be 
present  before  business  of  any  nature  may  be  transacted, 
except  adjournment  from  day  to  day.  By  special  rule 
any  number  may  be  fixed  as  a  quorum.  This  should 
not  be  so  large  but  that  a  quorum  may  readily  be 
secured. 

In  a  voluntary  association,  if  no  quorum  is  fixed,  any 
number  coming  together  may  transact  business. 

Where  the  body  is  a  representative  one,  performing 
the  functions  of  government  for  a  constituency,  or  a 
financial  one,  managing  the  business  of  a  corporation 
which  selected  it,  the  quorum  is  a  majority,  and  can 
neither  be  increased  nor  diminished  by  the  vote  of  the 
body.  City  councils  and  boards  of  directors  are  of 
this  class.  But  the  organization  from  which  the  board 
of  directors  is  elected  may  fix  the  quorum  for  the 
board. 

In  some  cases  the  entire  board  constitutes  the  quorum. 
A  present  quorum  is  all  that  is  necessary,  whether 
voting  or  not.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  Sees.  9  to  21.) 

Less  than  a  quorum  mny  adjourn  from  day  to  day 
until  a  quorum  is  secured, 


54  PARLIAMENT AU  T  LESSONS. 

THE    CASTING    VOTE. 

A  presiding  officer,  who  is  a  member  of  a  body,  may 
vote  as  any  other  member.  In  case  of  a  tie,  he  would 
not  give  the  casting  vote  if  he  had  already  voted.  In 
case  of  one  majority  in  the  affirmative,  he  may  vote 
negatively,  making  the  result  a  tie  and  killing  the 
motion.  A  motion  is  always  lost  on  a  tie  vote,  as  it 
takes  a  majority  to  carry. 

A  presiding  officer,  who  is  not  a  member  of  the  body, 
may  not  vote  even  in  case  of  a  tie,  unless  permitted  by 
law.  The  Vice-President  of  the  United  States  is  per- 
mitted by  law  to  give  the  casting  vote  in  the  United 
States  Senate,  and  this  is  usually  true  of  the  Lieutenant- 
Governor  in  a  State  Senate. 

No  presiding  officer  has  a  vote  in  any  committee 
unless  he  is  a  member  of  the  committee,  nor  in  any 
board  of  directors  unless  he  is  a  member  of  the  board. 

DEBATE    AND    DECORUM. 

All  questions  are  debatable  as  a  general  rule,  because 
the  purpose  of  deliberative  assemblies  is  to  reach  the 
mature  judgment  by  means  of  free  interchange  of 
thought.  Therefore  undebatable  questions  are  exceptions 
necessary,  because  some  questions  require  immediate  action 
that  business  may  be  dispatched.  They  are : 

1.  To  take  a  recess.     (Limited  debate.) 

2.  To   fix  the   time   or  place   to  which   to   adjourn. 
(Limited  debate.) 

3.  To  adjourn. 

4.  Call  for  the  order  of  the  day. 

5.  Suspension  of  rules. 

6.  Leave  to  withdraw  a  motion. 

7.  For  reading  of  papers. 


DEB  A  TE  AND  DE  COR  UM.  55 

8.  A  question  of  consideration.     (Objection  to  consid- 
eration of  the  question.) 

9.  Appeal  when  (a)  the  previous  question  is  pending 
or   the    main  question  ordered ;   (b)  if  any  undebatable 
question  is  pending ;   (c)  if  the  appeal  relates  to  inde- 
corum.    Under  any  of  the  above  conditions  the  appeal  is  « 
undebatable.  •  g 

10.  The  previous  question.  § 

11.  To  lay  on  or  take  from  the  table. 

12.  ^Reconsideration  of  an  undebatable  question. 

13.  Extending,  limiting,  or  closing  debate. 

14.  Motion  for  leave  to  continue  speech  to  one  guilty 
of  indecorum. 

15.  Leave  to  speak  out  of  order. 

The  motion  to  postpone  to  a  stated  time  permits  of 
debate  on  the  proposition  of  postponement  only. 

The  motions  to  commit^to  postpone  indefinitely,  and 
to  reconsider  a  debatable  question  allow  full  discussion 
of  the  merits  of  the  main  motion. 

A  motion  to  repeal,  annul,  or  rescind  a  former  action 
ranks  as  any  main  motion  and  is  fully  debatable. 

A  member  of  an  assembly,  or  a  visitor,  may  be  per- 
mitted to  speak  when  no  motion  is  pending.  But  unless 
this  is  by  permission  of  the  assembly,  is  liable  to  a  call 
to  order  at  any  time. 

There  must  be  a  motion  seconded  and  stated  by  the 
chair  before  there  can  be  debate,  as 

(a)  Otherwise  there  is  no  question  to  be  discussed. 

(b)  The  motion,  when  made,  may  not  be  in  order. 

(c)  If  in  order,  it  may  not  be  debatable. 

(d)  If  in  order  and  debatable,  the  assembly  may  not 
choose  to  have  it  discussed,  but  prefer  to  table,  post- 
pone, or  order  it  to  immediate  vote. 


56  PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 

No  member  may  speak  more  than  once  on  the  same 
motion  without  consent  of  the  assembly,  but  a  member 
who  has  spoken  to  the  main  question  has  a  right  to 
speak  to  each  amendment  as  it  is  presented. 

All  debate  should  be  relevant  and  confined  to  the 
subject  of  debate.  The  subject  of  debate  is  always  the 
question  directly  before  the  assembly,  whether  it  be  the 
main  question  or  a  subsidiary  one.  In  case  of  an 
amendment  the  main  motion  may  be  involved  in  such  a 
way  as  to  render  both  debatable. 

The  right  of  debate  does  not  cease  until  the  assembly 
so  orders,  by  the  adoption  of  the  previous  question, 
a  motion  to  close  debate,  or  until  the  main  question  has 
been  voted  on.  Even  after  the  affirmative  has  been 
taken,  a  member  may  claim  a  right  to  debate,  provided 
the  noes  have  not  been  taken.  If,  however,  there  are 
several  ways  of  taking  the  vote,  first  by  sound  of  voice, 
then  to  confirm  it  by  rising  vote,  or  by  yeas  and  nays, 
the  decision  of  the  first  method  precludes  debate,  even 
if  the  other  methods  be  called  for  afterward;  also,  after 
one  member  has  responded  to  a  roll-call  vote,  the  vote 
may  not  be  interrupted  by  debate  or  motions  of  higher 
rank.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  Sees.  215  to  223.) 

Members  should  avoid  personality  in  debate  and 
should  avoid  calling  members  by  their  names.  They 
should  be  referred  to  in  an  impersonal  manner. 

EULE   OF   THE   MAJORITY. 

Unless  by  organic  law,  or  by  virtue  of  rules  adopted 
by  the  assembly,  the  number  required  for  an  affirmative 
decision  is  increased  above  a  majority,  the  majority 
rules.  The  general  principle  of  decision  is  the  natural 
one,  that  the  majority  shall  govern.  By  unanimous 


SPECIAL  MEETINGS.  57 

consent  an  assembly  may  do  anything  which  it  is  com- 
petent to  do,  and  that  notwithstanding  any  rule  or 
regulation,  or  any  provision  of  parliamentary  law,  to 
the  contrary.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  Sees.  23  and  24.) 

It  is  not  legal  to  demand  more  than  a  majority  of 
the  organization  to  amend  rules.  A  majority  of  the 
organization  is  the  organization,  and  the  organization, 
which  is  the  majority,  may  not  deprive  itself  of  power 
to  make  its  own  rules.  If  it  were  legal  to  demand  two- 
thirds  to  amend  the  rules,  it  would  be  legal  to  demand 
three-fourths  or  a  unanimous  vote.  A  charter  or  a  con- 
stitution properly  adopted  would  be  an  exception  to  this 
rule.  (Note  Reed's  Rules,  Sec.  52.)  However,  on  any 
other  question  the  society  may  demand  a  two-thirds  vote, 
because  the  restriction  may  at  any  time  be  changed  by  a 
majority.  The  motions  on  which  a  two-thirds  vote  is 
usually  required  by  special  rule  are  the  following: 

1.  Question  of  consideration.     (Objection  to  consider- 
ation of  a  question.) 

2.  The  previous  question. 

3.  Extending,  limiting,  or  closing  debate. 

4.  Making  a  special  order. 

5.  Taking  up  a  question  out  of  its  regular  order. 

6.  Suspending  rules. 

SPECIAL   MEETINGS. 

It  is  incorrect  to  say  that  no  business  may  be  trans- 
acted at  a  special  meeting  except  such  as  is  provided 
for  in  the  call  for  the  meeting,  unless  this  provision  is 
made  in  the  by-law  under  which  special  meetings  are 
called.  If  the  by-law  merely  provides  for  the  method 
of  calling  special  meetings,  and  does  not  stipulate  that 
"at  such  meetings  no  business  maybe  transacted  except 


58  PARLIAMENTARY  LESSONS. 

such  as  is  provided  for  in  the  call  for  the  meeting," 
anything  may  be  done  which  it  is  proper  to  do  at  a 
regular  meeting.  If  wishing  such  a  restriction  on  special 
meetings,  it  must  be  fixed  by  by-law. 


Q.     What  is  a  quorum  ? 

A.     The  number  which  must  be  present  to  transact  business. 

Q.     May  any  number  be  fixed  as  a  quorum  ? 

A.  Yes,  no  matter  what  percentage  of  the  assembly  it  may 
be,  and  it  is  well  to  fix  it  at  a  low  figure,  as  every  member  may 
be  present  if  he  wishes. 

Q.  In  a  voluntary  association,  if  the  quorum  is  not  fixed, 
what  number  may  transact  business  ? 

A.     Any  number  which  chances  to  be  present. 

Q.     May  a  board  of   directors  fix  its  own  quorum  ? 

A.  No,  this  must  be  done  by  the  society.  In  case  this  is 
not  done,  a  majority,  no  more  and  no  less,  constitutes  the  quorum. 

Q.     Must  there  be  a  voting  quorum  ? 

A.  No,  only  a  present  quorum,  and  less  than  a  quorum 
may  adjourn  from  day  to  day,  each  time  fixing  time  and  place  of 
next  meeting  by  vote  of  those  present  until  a  quorum  is  secured. 

Q.     May  a  presiding  officer  vote  ? 

A.  Yes,  if  a  member  of  the  body.  In  case  of  a  tie,  he 
could  not  give  the  casting  vote  if  he  had  already  voted. 

Q.     What  motions  open  the  main  question  to  vote  ? 

A.  To  postpone  indefinitely;  to  commit;  to  repeal  or 
rescind,  and  to  reconsider  a  debatable  motion. 

Q.     Should  debate  be  allowed  when  no  motion  is  pending  ? 

A.  As  a  rule,  no.  It  is  merely  a  waste  of  time,  and  debate 
should  be  confined  to  the  pending  question. 

Q.  By  what  right  may  more  than  a  majority  vote  be 
required  on  any  question  ? 

A.     By  special  rule. 

Q.  May  the  power,  legally,  be  taken  from  the  majority  to 
make  or  amend  these  rules  ? 

A.     No. 


SPECIAL  MEETINGS,  59 

Q.  May  business  be  transacted  at  a  special  meeting  if  no 
notice  of  such  business  has  been  given  in  the  call  for  the 
meeting  ? 

A.  Yes,,  any  business  which  it  is  proper  to  transact  at  a 
regular  meeting  may  be  transacted  at  a  special  meeting,  unless 
the  by-law  providing  for  the  calling  of  special  meetings  stip- 
ulates that  "no  business  may  be  transacted  at  special  meetings 
except  such  as  is  provided  for  in  the  call  for  the  meeting." 


JAN  17195 


Utc 


J937 


1947 

•' 


f  I  Dec's 


YB  C8I5! 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


